Pruning a Weigela Floribunda

Timing

• Crimson weigela is a wide, broadly spreading shrub that can be about 8 feet tall at maturity, with an equal or slightly greater spread. Although its growth habit is generally pleasing, you can keep it in bounds and control its size with a schedule of regular pruning. Although you can prune the plant at any time without damaging it, the best time to prune is in late spring or early summer, after flowers are spent. The plant blooms on old wood and needs the summer and fall to produce new growth for the next season's blossoms. Avoid pruning in late summer or fall, because new growth might be damaged by winter cold.

Making Cuts

• The best method for pruning a weigela is to cut back individual branches, rather that shearing the entire plant at branch tips. Shearing tends to promote dense, thick growth near the outer portions of the bush, preventing light from reaching its interior. This can result in a top-heavy plant with poor growth in its center. Instead, cut back some branches by about one-third, choosing young branches that have been on the plant for two or three seasons. On a mature specimen, you can also cut some older branches back at ground level, because this stimulates strong new growth from the plant's base.

Controlling Shape

• Crimson weigela naturally produces long, gracefully arching branches and tends to become quite broad. You can control its shape to some degree by carefully choosing the buds that produce new growth. For example, to produce an outward-growing new shoot, cut at a slant just ahead of a healthy bud that faces outward. To promote a more narrow growth pattern, make cuts ahead of buds that face slightly inward. When promoting inward-facing growth, watch for any new shoots that cross or rub against preexisting branches. You should remove these crossing shoots to prevent damage to the plant.

Other Care

• Crimson weigela is generally easy to grow and does best when given a spot that gets full sun for most of the day, although it can tolerate some partial shade for a few hours. It also tolerates any type of garden soil, provided it's well drained. If your soil is high in clay and tends to hold water for long periods, add some sand at planting to improve drainage. The plant prefers even moisture and grows best when watered regularly, although an established plant is tolerant of dry spells. It also tolerates urban conditions, including pollution, and is a good choice for a city garden.